Kate Mason

A man is in hospital after being punched several times in the face and attacked with a meat cleaver at a Rotherham petrol station.

Police in Rotherham are appealing for information after the 31-year-old Asian man was seriously assaulted just before 6am this morning (Saturday 27 February) at the BP service station on Herringthorpe Valley Road in the Herringthorpe area of Rotherham.

It was reported that the man had been dropped off by a taxi to use the cash machine at the garage when he was approached by two unknown men.

The first man is reported to have punched the victim several times in the face before the second man used what has been described as a meat cleaver to slice off the top of his left hand forefinger.

The two men then left the scene in a dark coloured vehicle.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment where he remains in a stable condition.

The first man is described as white, of tall, slim build. The victim was unable to provide a description of the second man.

Leading the investigation Detective Inspector Richard Partridge said: “This is an extremely nasty attack which appears to be unprovoked and is being treated as racially aggravated.

“A full investigation is underway and as well as reviewing CCTV, we have a team of detectives in the area and officers are supporting the victim.

“The incident is being taken extremely seriously and we can reassure members of the community that we are following a number of lines of enquiry to identify these offenders.

“If you were in the area at the time or saw or heard anything suspicious, please do contact police on 101 quoting incident 223 of today.

“We’d also like to speak to the driver of the taxi who dropped the victim off at the garage as they may hold vital information about the assault.”

You can also pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or email information to police via enquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk